CM/Spotlight: Carpet Care BUSTING Carpet Care By: Robert Kravitz Myths Many myths regarding the proper care of carpet still persist; it is time to clear up the confusion. Robert Kravitz is a fre-quent writer for the profes-sional cleaning industry and author of two books on the industry. He may be reached via his website at www.AlturaSolutions.com. M for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Carpet Care . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select BUYERS’ GUIDE from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Extraction . Many years ago when I was in the contract cleaning business, I mentioned to a customer that it was time for the facility’s carpets to be “steam cleaned,” as hot water extraction was referred to at that time. The customer balked. While the facility manager agreed the carpet was beginning to look soiled, even discolored in many areas, he insisted he had heard “steam cleaning ruins the carpet. Carpets should be cleaned as few times as possible.” This myth was quite prevalent years ago and hopefully it is now buried away because in most cases, just the opposite is true. Soils are abrasive. Picture them as sandpaper or little knives rubbing and cutting carpet fibers as people walk on the carpet. This causes the fibers to wear out faster, shortening the carpet’s lifespan. While vacuuming can help, by itself, it is not enough. Eventually carpets have to be cleaned, and most experts agree 14 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • June 2013
CMM – Archives June 2013: 14
